Log in or start a trial to access this article

US offshore wind will bring jobs and help the global industry

OPINION | Towns and cities across Europe have benefited from the offshore wind sector and the same will be true in the US, says Keith Anderson

The offshore wind industry is evolving quicker than anyone predicted, and that pace of progress shows no signs of slowing. In the UK and across Europe the industry has met and exceeded all challenges and expectations over the last decade.

Projects are now more ambitious and larger in scale. The technology is more advanced, the components are more robust and turbines are being placed in deeper waters. The ports and harbours that support projects have been developed and enhanced and huge bespoke vessels have been built. All this means that costs have been reducing rapidly.

Companies like Iberdrola have been there from the start, because we know that if climate change has any chance of being tackled, then we need to maximise offshore wind power’s huge potential. Very early we could see that it was an industry that could be developed quickly, and investment risks could be reduced. The technology works and the costs make sense. Ten years ago offshore wind would not have been at the top of any major investor’s list of attractive projects, but now the world’s biggest investors all want to be involved.

This confidence gives the industry strength, and the major pipeline of projects in the US and the huge investment associated with it means jobs, skills, manufacturing and training opportunities. Just as we see towns and cities across the UK and Europe benefiting, so too will many areas in the US.

The industry and policy makers need to continue working closely together to ensure that the economic benefits can match the environmental benefits. Access to reliable low-carbon electricity for businesses will also help to drive wider growth in the economy. Offshore wind is now a tried and tested technology and the opportunities to grow the industry in the US are substantial. Progressive policies in many states have given the industry a boost, and we have every confidence that the US is well placed to be a leader in this sector. The strong competition to develop projects and secure contracts, and the significant investments that major companies are ready to take, shows that the industry will be a success.

The US clearly has the skilled workforce and the eye for innovation that will help to progress offshore wind even further. It is an exciting time for the sector, and if all the dots can be joined, then US offshore wind will have a hugely positive role to play in job creation at home and in the fight against climate change globally.

Premium subscription at less than $5 per business day!

Stay tuned with our free daily newsletter

Be in the know of the most important headline every day

US offshore wind will bring jobs and help the global industry

OPINION | Towns and cities across Europe have benefited from the offshore wind sector and the same will be true in the US, says Keith Anderson

The offshore wind industry is evolving quicker than anyone predicted, and that pace of progress shows no signs of slowing. In the UK and across Europe the industry has met and exceeded all challenges and expectations over the last decade.

Projects are now more ambitious and larger in scale. The technology is more advanced, the components are more robust and turbines are being placed in deeper waters. The ports and harbours that support projects have been developed and enhanced and huge bespoke vessels have been built. All this means that costs have been reducing rapidly.

Companies like Iberdrola have been there from the start, because we know that if climate change has any chance of being tackled, then we need to maximise offshore wind power’s huge potential. Very early we could see that it was an industry that could be developed quickly, and investment risks could be reduced. The technology works and the costs make sense. Ten years ago offshore wind would not have been at the top of any major investor’s list of attractive projects, but now the world’s biggest investors all want to be involved.

This confidence gives the industry strength, and the major pipeline of projects in the US and the huge investment associated with it means jobs, skills, manufacturing and training opportunities. Just as we see towns and cities across the UK and Europe benefiting, so too will many areas in the US.

The industry and policy makers need to continue working closely together to ensure that the economic benefits can match the environmental benefits. Access to reliable low-carbon electricity for businesses will also help to drive wider growth in the economy. Offshore wind is now a tried and tested technology and the opportunities to grow the industry in the US are substantial. Progressive policies in many states have given the industry a boost, and we have every confidence that the US is well placed to be a leader in this sector. The strong competition to develop projects and secure contracts, and the significant investments that major companies are ready to take, shows that the industry will be a success.

The US clearly has the skilled workforce and the eye for innovation that will help to progress offshore wind even further. It is an exciting time for the sector, and if all the dots can be joined, then US offshore wind will have a hugely positive role to play in job creation at home and in the fight against climate change globally.